Swimming apparatus



Dec. 15, 1925 1.565.606 C.VERBSKY SWIMMING APPARATUS Filed Nov. 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 v ;N.VENTOR.

ATTORNEY.

pactly constructed swimming which will oifer a mmlmum amount of re- Patented Dec. 15, 1925.

YUNIFTTED 6 STATES 1 1,565,606 PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES VERBSKY, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

SWIMMING APPARATUS.

' Application filed November 28, 1924. Serial No. 752,707. I

provide a compactly built mechanism whichmay be readily attached to the human body and be operated through a natural walking movement of the limbs.

Another object is to rovide an apparatus of this character wherein the apparatus is so positioned as to permit use of the calf and thigh muscles of thebody 1n operatlng the propeller mechanismwhich pulls rather than pushes the body through the water.

A further object is to provide a swimming apparatus including a screw propeller and means for preventing radial throw of the Water by the propeller, thereby materially increasingthe pulling power of the mechanism.

It is likewise an ob ect to provide a comapparatus sistance to movement through the water.

Other objects will be in part obviousand in part pointed out hereinafter.

In order that the invention and lts mode of operation may be readily understood by persons skilled in the art, I have 1n the accompanyin illustrative drawings, and in the following detailed descriptlon based thereon set out one possible embodiment of the same.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the complete swimming apparatus;

Figure 2 is a side elevation thereof;

Figure 3 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view, the propeller and adjacent parts being shown in elevation;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional View taken substantially on the line 44 of Figure 2;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 55 of Figure 4, and

Figure 6 is a detail sectional View showinga modified structure of the propeller.

Having more particular reference to the drawings throughout which similar characters of reference designate similar parts this improved swimming apparatus comprises an open ended shell or protector 10 which is preferably made up of a rust proof material and has its upper Wall cut away at its ends so as to afford reasonable comfort to the wearer. A pair of attaching strips 11 is secured to the forward underside of the shell and as shown in Figure 1 provide for securing the shell to the body of the wearer. It may be here stated that this apparatus is designed to be placed upon the chest of the wearer, this positioning providing for a maximum degree of efficiency.

Arranged within the shell or protectorlO is a pair of longitudinally spaced transverse bars 12 whose ends are riveted or otherwise secured to opposite sides of said shell. A

shaft 13 is arranged centrally and longitudinally in the shell and is provided at each end with oppositely directed substantiallyv cone shaped heads 14 which are so shaped in order that they will offer a minimum amount of resistance to passage of the apparatus through the water. One of these substantially cone shaped heads 14 has its apex rotatably fitted into a socket 15 carried by the forward transverse bar 12, while the other head is provided with a substantially cone shaped socket adapted to receive a hearing screw .16 which is threaded into a bearing formed upon the rear transverse bar 12 as shown in Figures 3 and 4. This screw provides for ready separation of theparts.

A screw propeller 17 is arranged adjacent the front cone'shaped head 14 and is rotatable with said head and shaft. This propeller may be of any preferred construction, or as shown in Figure 6, made up of individual blades each carrying an attaching ear.

In order to provide for rotation of the propeller in one direction I arrange adjacent the rear cone shaped head 14, a pair of spaced sheaves 18 which as shown in Figure 5 carry pawls or the like 19 which are engageable in notches 20 circumferentially spaced about the shaft and cause it to rotate only when they are moved in one direction. These sheaves 18 are designed for oscillation through passing around the same, cords 21 or the like, corresponding ends of the cords being connected together as shown in Figures 1 and 2. These cords as illustrated in Figure 4 are passed over pulleys 22 and thence rearwardly as is clear in Figure 1. The free ends of these cords are attached to web strips 23 which provide for attachment of the cords to the feet of the person using the apparatus.

The pulleys 22 over which the cords 21 pass are attached to longitudinal brackets 24: whose rear ends are riveted or otherwise fastened to the rear transverse frame bar 12. As illustrated in Figure tthe brackets are braced by means of stay rods 24 whose outer ends are securely fastened to the shell or protector.

In using this apparatus it is strapped to the body, and the web strips 23 are secured to the feet of the operator. In attaching this apparatus the narrow portion of the casing 10 is arranged uponthe lower portion of the users chest and the straps 11 are carried over the shoulders in substantially the same manner as a pair-of suspenders, the exception being that the back portions of the straps are carried downwardly and forwardly for attachment to the sides of the casing. An ordinary walking movement of the legs will alternately pull upon the cords 18 and operate first one of the sheaves 18 andthen the other, thus intermittently engaging the pawls 19 with the notches 20 formed in the propeller carrying shaft 13. It is obvious that this operation will cause a continued rotation of the propeller in one direction and consequently cause a forward movementof the person using the apparatus. As has been previously stated the provision of a shell about the propeller prevents radialthrow of the water by the propeller and consequently gives a greater thrust as is quite obvious;

The several parts are so designed as to ofl'era minimum amount of resistance to the passage of water and as shown in Figure 3 a substantially cone shaped body 26 is fixed to rotate with the shaft 13 and incidentally minimizes resistance that the sheaves 18 might'otherwiseoffer to the passage of water.

Manifestly, the construction shown is capableofconsiderable modification and such modification as may fallWithin the scope of claims, I consider within the spirit of my lnvention. I

I claim:

1. A swimming apparatus comprising an openended shell, an open frame arranged in the shell, a rotatable shaft mounted in the frame, and having cone shaped elements at each end, a screw propeller fixed to the shaft, a pair of sheavestloosely arranged upon the shaft and formed to rotate the shaft in one direction, and a pair of cords extending about the sheaves and designed to be attached to the feet. of a person using the apparatus.

2. A swimming apparatus comprising, an open ended shell, a shaft centrally and rotatably mounted in the shell, a screw propeller fixed tothe forward. end of the shaft, a. pair of spaced sheaves arranged upon the shaft rearwardlv of the propeller, clutch mechanism arranged. to interconnect the sheaves and shaft at times, and a pair of cords extending about the sheaves and designed for attachment tothe feet of a person using the apparatus.

3. A swimming apparatus comprising, an open ended shell, a rotatable shaft arranged centrally and longitudinally in the shell, a screw propeller fixed to the forward end of the shaft, a pair of spaced sheaves arranged uponthe shaft, means interengaging the shaft and sheaves at times, pairs of pulleys arranged at opposite sides of the sheaves and in spaced relation thereto, and operating cords extending about the sheaves and' through the pulleys and designed for attachment to the feet of a. person usingthe apparatus.

In testimony whereof, I affix my signature.

CHARLES VERBSKY. 

